hness* that his sister Beatrix was not
at Kensington; and that her family had thought it best she should quit
the town.

* In London we addressed the Prince as Royal Highness
invariably, though the women persisted in giving him the
title of King.

"Not at Kensington!" says he; "is she ill? she was well yesterday;
wherefore should she quit the town? Is it at your orders, my lord, or
Colonel Esmond's, who seems the master of this house?"

"Not of this, sir," says Frank very nobly, "only of our house in the
country, which he hath given to us. This is my mother's house, and
Walcote is my father's, and the Marquis of Esmond knows he hath but to
give his word, and I return his to him."

"The Marquis of Esmond!--the Marquis of Esmond," says the Prince,
tossing off a glass, "meddles too much with my affairs, and presumes
on the service he hath done me. If you want to carry your suit with
Beatrix, my lord, by blocking her up in gaol, let me tell you that is
not the way to win a woman."

"I was not aware, sir, that I had spoken of my suit to Madam Beatrix to
your Royal Highness."

"Bah, bah, Monsieur! we need not be a conjurer to see that. It makes
itself seen at all moments. You are jealous, my lord, and the maid of
honor cannot look at another face without yours beginning to scowl. That
which you do is unworthy, Monsieur; is inhospitable--is, is lache, yes,
lache:" (he spoke rapidly in French, his rage carrying him away with each
phrase:) "I come to your house; I risk my life; I pass it in ennui; I
repose myself on your fidelity; I have no company but your lordship's
sermons or the conversations of that adorable young lady, and you take
her from me, and you, you rest! Merci, Monsieur! I shall thank you
when I have the means; I shall know to recompense a devotion a little
importunate, my lord--a little importunate. For a month past your airs
of protector have annoyed me beyond measure. You deign to offer me the
crown, and bid me take it on my knees like King John--eh! I know my
history, Monsieur, and mock myself of frowning barons. I admire your
mistress, and you send her to a Bastile of the Province; I enter your
house, and you mistrust me. I will leave it, Monsieur; from to-night I
will leave it. I have other friends whose loyalty will not be so ready
to question mine. If I have garters to give away, 'tis to noblemen who
are not so ready to think evil. Bring me a coach and let me quit this
place, or let